Going on weekend trip might be a great alternative on how to relax from busy daily routine in the office or any other work place. In Europe plenty ideas on where to go and what to do might be discovered, as most of the cities and sights can be reached in short terms. In this article Madrid is covered as an example; in this truly royal city each and every will find something to enjoy and to have a nice time during a few days.
Friday’s Evening
If getting to Madrid on Friday’s evening there is no better start than strolling along Gran Via, broad and gorgeous under the street lights. In practice, Gran Via hosts numerous theatres and opera houses, and Friday night is usually the time of theatrical premieres. Certainly, tickets should be booked and purchased in advance and for weekend city breakers the only option is to watch rushing crowds of Madrilenians.
Having worked up some appetite, travelers might either have dinner in some cozy
place or go straight to Alcala district, where having a row of cocktails is a usual thing for both locals and city visitors. Alcala is one of the historic streets in Madrid, although recently it became the place of party-makers. It is here one can try the highlights of local cocktail mixes and even watch spectacular barmen performances, which might be a perfect Friday’s ending before getting acquainted with Madrid culture during next days. In particular, the most popular bars around are Museo Chicote, Del Diego, Bar Cock, etc.
Saturday
Not a second should be wasted in a hotel room, especially when the trip is limited in time. The abundance of cultural attractions in Madrid implies that every visitor will find something to get inspired with. For art lovers multiple galleries and museums offer rich displays of paintings and sculptural masterworks, including samples from different corners of the Old World. If having a family vacation, large park zones cover most of Madrid, including El Retiro right in the heart of the city and Real Jardín Botánico in front of Prado Museum. Both preserved the atmosphere of previous centuries.
Tapas is a must-try thing in Madrid, and lunch time perfectly suits this purpose, especially prior to going shopping around Madrid fashion stores. In very deed, this city is a paradise for experienced fashionistas and commonplace shopping lovers, as both luxury districts (Salamanca “Golden Mile”, for example) and flea markets (El Rastro) are at visitors’ disposal.
The citizens often claim it is easy to reach the sky in Madrid. And a significant number of high buildings and skyscrapers, towering busy and
reloaded with traffic streets, benefit tourists. Many terraces on the roofs are opened to public, where couples might enjoy breathtaking sunset moments; to add some romances to Saturday’s night ascend to the top of Puerta de América, Me Madrid or Hotel Urban Madrid.
Sunday
To start a day as an original Madrilenian, go to the nearest chocolatier: have some hot chocolate, served with churros – fried in oil sticks of choux pastry. Cup of fragrant flavorful thick chocolate is especially delicious in the legendary San Ginés.
On Sunday one can truly enjoy Madrid as it is, apart from crowded with tourists’ groups places and guides screaming on pig-English. Before leaving Madrid, wandering around old-fashioned areas is recommended, among which the most thrilling and charming are Austrian, Literary, Latin districts and Conde Duque.